Sea lions released into the ocean after treatment

Two sea lion yearlings were released back into the ocean Monday after several months of physical rehabilitation at San Pedro's Marine Mammal Care Center.

Volunteer rescuers released the pinnipeds - a male and a female - at Terranea Resort's beach in Rancho Palos Verdes. The center rescues, rehabilitates and releases roughly 100 marine mammals each year.

The male sea lion released Monday had suffered a gill net injury, and the female was rescued because she was malnourished, center volunteer Callie Dean said.

The pair lived at the center for several months before they were well enough to be returned to the ocean, she said.

On Monday afternoon, volunteers loaded the sea lions into crates, trucked them to the beach and opened the doors. One quickly waddled out to the ocean, but the other had to be urged out of the container with a fish.

"This is my first time seeing something like this," said Corinna Miller, a Redondo Beach resident who stumbled upon the release. "Looking at them being happy to be released is very magical. It's good to see what people are doing for the environment."

The center is working on rehabilitating 10 sea lions, two Pacific harbor seals and an elephant seal, Dean said.

For more information about the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur, or to buy tickets to its annual benefit "Party for Pinnipeds" on Oct. 14, call 310-548-5677 or visit http://marinemammalcare.org.